PHSYCO the bubble top

I haven't been able to do much in the garage lately due to a ruptured disc in my back. I've still got a couple of projects to finish before I can actually start on the bubble top. To kill some time I decided to do a clay sculpture of it to get a better idea of what it will look like. Don't laugh too hard this is my first time sculpting. As soon as it dries I'll paint it.
First is the drawing Chris Ito did for me.
Clark

 

Thats sooooooooooo wild I love it!

 

First shot of the clay. I'm not too happy with the intake on the sculpture but I've already mocked up the intake and it looks cool as all hell.

 

Here's a shot of the back. One fender has a peak and one does not. I left it this way because I'm undecided on wich way to do the actual car. I like the peak but I think the back is getting a little busy for it. What do you think?
Clark

 

That's cool,Clark. Hey you did a good job with the clay. When I work with that stuff it always ends up lookin' like an ash tray. That car's going to be awesome.I like the subtle changes you made.
Hope the back is getting better!!!!

 

Here's a front shot.

 

WOW, that is awesome. Your very talented.

I like the peak-less fender better.

 

Holy***** , man! I can almost hear Mattell and Larry Wood knocking on yer door to make that into a Hot Wheels car!
When they do, wouldja sign the package for me?

 

Is that supposed to be "PSYCHO", oh winner of the SoWhat Spelling Bee???
Looks pretty cool. Did you use macaroni noodles for the intake?
Can't wait to see the kickoff of the life-size model. Did you decide on metal or glass yet?
I like the rear fender peaks. Does it come with the Barbie, though, or is that sold seperately?
Bring the model to the Hoedown, we'll refine the design after a few dozen beers.
Later-
~ Rob

 

clark

I made a couple "bubbles" from clear plastic the other day.. I am gonna give them to you at the hoe down sat..

if you give me an idea of diameter and height I could prohably make one pretty close to actual size

shoot me an email or call

jeff

 

Pretty cool first attempt! That piece needs to go into the ScaryLarry/Kim/SoWhat Museum in Seven Springs. People will come from far and wide to bask in the glow.....
Sorry to hear about the back. I'm leaving now to go see my chiropractor....old BMX injury I brought back from FL. Hope to see y'all on Sunday.......

 

I always thought that bubbles were a problem when working with clay. Obviously not!

 

Very Cool Clark, you'll have to keep us posted on the progress. These are the types of projects I love seeing on the HAMB.

 

Is that a Y block in Ito's pic? The height of the valve covers and distance between middle exhaust ports has me thinking it is.

 

Napy....sory mi spelin is tariball!!!
Deyomatic... it's a sbc with an weber setup on top. Here's a pic of the intake mocked up.
Clark

 

Looking pretty good there Clark, ESPECIALLY for a first time effort at sculpting. Like someone already said, I'm sure most of us on here would just end up with an ashtray.

I agree that the rear looks a little busy. Have you thought about just having one "scoop" on the deck lid? You could probably get away with the peaked fenders then.

Have you also thought about what the car companies do with their clay models. They usually only sculpt half a model and put a mirror down the centre. That way you could have two models of the same car with subtle mods, but in effect only have to sculpt one whole car. Clever huh?

 

Very cool, love the intake set-up

 

I'd call that "Octopussy" when it is done. It looks badass.

 

Working with clay?! ....... you guys are getting to be Bigshots now. Whats next? .... billet? ......... LOL ......... seriously though...... looks cool!

 

If it isn't mud it's clay that your playing with. I can't wait to see the real thing.

 

have to agree the rear fender looks better to me without the peak, helps to keep the rear end cleaner.

looks killer overall.


jerry

 

If you sculpt the body you can make a fiber glass mold of it then repop it and make a chassis ect paint the body and build a mini scale

 

Thats really slick- I was expecting a blob of clay kinda like richard Dreyfuss's sculpture of the alien mountain landing place in "Close Encounters"!Im Impressed-is that gonna be 37 ford headlites?

 

My .02 you results may vary.I Love those carbs and stacks.Making a model is a great idea,but keep in mind it will look entirely different full size.Have you made an scale drawings?They would help.I think the closer you stick to the original remdering,the better.In the original,I like the rake on the top of the body,how the top of the cowl so close to the hieght of the motor,and the laid back nose.Trying to streamline the headlites into side pods looks heavy to me.The side scoop doesn't belong,unless it serves some purpose.

 

Unk... the rake in the body was one of my screw ups in the clay. It was worse until I shaved a little off the cowl. I'm suprised nobody said anything about the front wheels not being able to turn with the way the sculpture is made and the front tires are too big. The scoops on the side add no function but without them I think the side would be too plain. The scoops on the deck are to get air into the*****pitand I was thinking of putting the gas cap on the raised section between the scoops.
The headlights are Mercedes. A friend gave them to me wich got all this started. Putting the lights on an old car is just not my style but a bubbletop is another story.
Clark

 

Hey C-Word I thought I saw that sticker on a car from the Salt. Somebody posted it and I couldn't make out if that is what it said. Sweet.

 

If I can make a suggestion, take another look at the relationship of the valve cover to the front tire (it's below it) as well as the grille shell height and how everything behind that relates. Your clay looks good, but almost a completely different car than Chris' design. Not knocking, just trying to help.

 

I just guessing;That looks like regular ceramic clay.It will shrink as it dries.If it dries too fast,and its too thick,it will crack.The big studios use an oil based clay,Plastalena(sp) is one brand,it doesn't shrink or dry out.It is available in different hardness,the harder clay will hold details better.Usually helps to warm it in an over to make it easier to spread.Like someone mentioned,they do half a car,and put it up against a first surface mirror.When they get to full size,they do the whole car. [ QUOTE ]
The scoops on the deck are to get air into the*****pitand

[/ QUOTE ] Ventilation is a big problem with a bubble car.Kind of like a terrarium on wheels.Could you put a small NACA duct,like the ones used on Wnston Cup cars,on each side to bring air in?Or look at the scoops on the sides of the Ferrari 308.Make it look like it belongs there. [ QUOTE ]
The scoops on the side add no function but without them I think the side would be too plain.

[/ QUOTE ] I don't think so.The sides of the model might look plain,because the exhaust is missing.If you add the zoomies,and tie the rear fender into the rocker panel,it would flow better.The way I read the original,there is a nice compound curve in the door,with swooping door cuts,and the rocker panel is raised to suggest running boards which flow into the rear "fenders".Try it on your model,do one side with,the other without. I do like the latemodel lights,but really think they want to be in an exagerated teardrop bucket.Traditional styling with a contemporary twist.

 

Jim...I did mess up on the body rake on my model.
Unk...The clay is just cheap clay. Hopefully it will not crack but if it does it has already served its purpose.
The car will have AC. Gonna mount the compressor low and try to hide it. You've got me thinking that just the vents at the back won't be enough. Might need another vent so air can pass through the car. Would be nice to catch air from the front of the car and duct it into the*****pit.
If you look closely at the concept Chris did it has the side scoops. Mine are just a little (ok a lot) big and his are just a little small.
Clark

 

Clark you build that car and you'll be a Rod building GOD

Hey what's up with the rpu? As per our conversation in Coloumbus.